From Dennis Patton: All our rain has been great for lawns, but it also has helped a pesky weed thrive. It goes by several common names including nutsedge, nutgrass and water grass. The technical name is yellow nutsedge, which happens to be one of the most difficult lawn weeds to control. For more, read on.

Dieffenbachia is a great old-fashioned houseplant. Over time, it can get leggy as in lower light tends to drop the older leaves. This leaves a trunk and then leaves at the top. The quickest and simplest way to rejuvenate this plant is to simply cut it back about 6 inches to a foot from the base.

From Dennis Patton: Come see the hottest and newest plants while enjoying cool classes in air-conditioned comfort and ice cold water while wandering the field trials. Learn about the latest and greatest before it ever hits the garden centers. It's all at the K-State Research and Extension Horticulture Center’s Field Day, Saturday, July 25, from 8 a.m.–2 p.m. It's your chance to peek behind the scenes, talk with the experts and learn about the latest varieties and methods for achieving growing success.

This is not a Japanese Tree Lilac. This is a standard lilac, probably dwarf Korean. This plant has issues with borers. I would check deep inside the “head” or growing point for signs of borers. This would include small holes. At this point you will need to prune out the dead wood. It is to late to treat for borers this year. Check it out and see if I am on the right track.

QUESTION: We planted this tree 14 years ago when we built our house. It has done very well, even bloomed this year. Now all of sudden it has started to die. I have three other bushes in the area,and they are doing fine, so I know it's not too much water or not enough. Is there something I can do other than accept that “something” is happening and it's dying? - Linda.....ANSWER: ANSWER:

Sorry, but from the picture, it is very difficult to tell what is going on with the lilac. And we really need more information. Here are some questions to answer...FOR MORE, READ ON

I started my basil plants late this year, on May 10. They didn't grow much at all for the first four weeks, and then started to yellow and develop brown patches. But once the constant rain finally moved out, I'm starting to see what looks like healthy new growth on top. Where should I go from here? Should I remove the yellow leaves at the bottom, or leave them be?

From Dennis Patton: The cool May and June has slowed the growth of tomatoes in local gardens. But a few lucky gardeners are starting to harvest tomatoes. Many times the picking of the first ripe tomato of the season turns into a disappointment as these early red fruits have been hit by a problem called blossom end rot. For more, read on...

QUESTION: I'm wondering if you can tell me if the mushrooms in the pictures are edible. I just noticed them in my yard last night and then they bloomed this morning. Thank you! - Stephanie.........ANSWER: No, absolutely not.....For the complete answer, READ ON....

QUESTION: This 9 year old Autumn Flame Maple looks good on one side but as you can see from the picture looks really bad on the other. This started a little a couple of years ago but really progressed this year. The foliage is healthy on the good side but not as full on the other side. It has not been damaged from trimming. It is out in the open and the peeling is on the southeast side. What is the cause of this and is it too late to save this tree? Sad Tree Owner......ANSWER: The Autumn Blaze maple is a cross between a Red Maple and a Silver Maple. Unfortunately, both parent trees have problems in our area. One characteristic is that the immature bark is very thin. FOR MORE, READ ON........

From Dennis Patton: Like most gardeners I have a strong dislike for weeds. They create more work and rob our plants of much-needed nutrients and water. But like many things in life not all weeds are created equally. By that I mean some weeds tend to be more of a pain in the backside than others. Some weeds are easy to eradicate while others are next to impossible. One of the worst to deal with is field bindweed. For more, read on...

QUESTION: Bought a house in October and now find out that the yard this summer is growing large spots of Bermuda grass. Any ideas how to get rid of it before it takes over the whole yard? - Gail........ANSWER: Bermuda and zoysia grass, while desirable in some parts of the country, tend not to be popular in Kansas City. Control can be accomplished if a few simple procedures are followed. FOR MORE, READ ON...

From Dennis Patton: It is one of the most easily identified insects found in the area; the bagworm. Bagworms will be making their annual appearance and start munching their way through many landscape plants. For more, read on.

This is a picture of my Little Lime hydrangea, which is growing in a large washtub. It's been there four years, doing well. This spring I thought it was looking leggy so I pruned it and gave some miracle gro plant food. It started greening up nicely but now I see the upper leaves are looking shriveled. Any idea what's going on here? - Patricia

From Dennis Patton: Get out the hats and let’s have a party as we celebrate another national day, or Week of Something. This week our attention turns to the unsung heroes, the pollinators. June 15–21 is National Pollinators Week. Who would have thought that growing up we would need to designate a special day, let alone a week, in order think about insects and other creatures? But you know what they say about how times have changed.

QUESTION: I pruned my Freedom Rose of Sharon bush/tree in early spring this year as I do every year. However, I have no leaves or buds this time; just a few suckers growing up from the bottom. It usually grows to over 7 feet tall with masses of flowers. However, for the first time this year, nothing. It just looks like it's dead.

I did remove one large branch when (I was pruning) that was leaning off to the side and sprayed the open wound with pruning seal. I recently cut a piece off a limb and it still has green around the edges. Should I leave my bush/tree and wait and see what happens next spring or should I remove it now? Thanks - Rose.........ANSWER: A number of plants have had problems this spring with the effects on last November’s cold spell. We dropped from a fairly warm day down into the teens. As a result many plants had extreme dieback. We have not seen as much damage to Rose of Sharon but I think this might be the issue. FOR MORE, READ ON....

QUESTION: I received a calla lily for Mother's Day. It is still in the pot I received it in & is doing ok but not great. Can you tell me how to care for it? Thank you, Mary......ANSWER: I'm guessing you wish to keep the plant indoors. A Calla Lily likes 6 hrs of bright, indirect light, and should be kept away from drafts (heating or air conditioning vents). The soil should be well-draining and should be moist at all times, that's moist, not soggy. Fertilizing with a with a low nitrogen fertilizer monthly is a good idea, but stop fertilizing when the bloom begins to die back. Their ideal temperature range is 50-75 degrees. With that being said callas are very high light requiring plants. It is best that the plant be grown outdoors for the summer in a more sunny location. Indoors they will struggle with the lower light. FOR MORE, READ ON....

From Dennis Patton: Do you think it will rain? Wow! Can you ever remember a May that had so many cloudy, rainy days? Someone the other day said, “Is this Seattle?” Well, we all know that this is Kansas City. And we’ll probably very soon be reminded that we live in the Midwest, and summer can be hot and dry.

Most cool-season grass lawns are lush right now given all the rain and cool temperatures we have had. This late in the spring, waiting until September to fertilize your cool-season grass would be the best option.

Today's Circulars

Aboutthis blog

Kansas City can be a challenging area for gardeners and homeowners with lawns and landscaping. We're here to help with resources, advice and answers. Email us questions at kcgardens@kcstar.com and you'll get answers from Johnson County Extension Master Gardeners and other experts.

Our bloggers

Dennis PattonPatton is a Johnson County Extension horticulture agent and majored in horticulture at Kansas State University. He calls himself a plant geek and says his own garden is one of dreams and hope. Patton enjoys perennials and says if he had the time, he could envision a large vegetable garden.

Carole BrandtBrandt has been a Johnson County extension master gardener since 1990 and works on the Extension Master Gardener hotline, which gives her an opportunity to research a great variety of garden questions and learn from all the people who contact her.

Craig NienaberNienaber is a Star Metro editor and author of “Flower Gardening in Kansas City,” a book that profiles more than 20 of the area’s best gardeners. Each year, he tries to make his Shawnee yard a little bit better and keep it from backsliding.